The Musical Fountains Show brings the great fountains of Versailles to life with a baroque soundtrack, and it is the closest you can get to the spectacle Louis XIV staged for guests. The show runs on weekends from April to early November, with extra Tuesday dates in late spring, and the water play in the groves and basins is timed to music, running through the day. A second event, the Musical Gardens, runs on weekday afternoons in the same season and fills the groves with music while the fountains play in selected groves. On these days the gardens charge admission, so the Passport covers the cost for visitors already holding it. On Saturday evenings in summer there is also a Night Fountains Show with lighting, sold separately. Outside that season, from early November to the end of March, the fountains are off. Each year the next season begins in the spring, and the dates are announced by the palace over the winter.
What the shows are like
On a show day the garden is full of people walking from grove to grove, following the sound of the music and the water. Each grove has its own atmosphere, from the Water Theatre to the Mirror Pool and the Neptune Fountain at the far end, which is the grand finale in many programmes. The Musical Gardens focus on the music itself and let you wander between groves that are not usually open to the public.
How to plan
Choose a weekend for the Fountains Show or a weekday afternoon for the Musical Gardens, and buy the ticket ahead. The Passport includes the gardens on show days, so you only need the separate show ticket if you are not already covered. Arrive early to see the first displays and give yourself three hours for the full circuit. Wear comfortable shoes, carry water and expect crowds on sunny weekends. Prices are modest, and ticket types vary by day.
Seasonal note and alternatives
In November the fountains are off, and the gardens are free instead, which makes it the quietest and cheapest time to walk them. If your trip falls between November and March, spend the money on the palace and the Trianon estate, and plan a return in spring if the fountains are a priority. A bike tour or a visit to the Royal Stables show on a weekend is a good substitute for the winter season.
What to expect
The experience
A walk through the groves while fountains play to baroque music, with the Musical Gardens variant on weekday afternoons in season.
Best time
Spring to early autumn on a show day; the finale at the Neptune Fountain is a highlight in many programmes.
How long
About three hours for the full circuit through the groves.
Tips
Check that the day is a show day, buy ahead, wear comfortable shoes and remember that the fountains are off from November to March.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors in spring or summer who want the fountains running, which is the garden at its most theatrical.
- Families
- Children enjoy the water and the open lawns; bring a picnic and a change of shoes.
- Couples
- A weekday Musical Gardens afternoon is calmer than a weekend, and the groves feel romantic.
- Pair with
- The palace in the morning, then the show in the afternoon, on a Passport.
- Time needed
- Three hours for the show circuit.
Good questions
When is the Musical Fountains Show on?+
The season runs from April to early November, mainly on weekends with some Tuesday dates in late spring. The dates for each year are announced by the palace.
What is the difference between the Fountains Show and the Musical Gardens?+
The Fountains Show is timed water displays to music, mostly on weekends. The Musical Gardens is a weekday event where music plays in the groves while some fountains run.
Is there a show in November?+
No. The Musical Gardens end in late October and the Fountains Show in early November. From November to March the gardens are free and the fountains are off.
Does the Passport include the show days?+
Yes. The Passport covers the gardens on days when admission is charged, so you only need a separate show ticket if you are not holding one.
Is there an evening show?+
Yes, a Night Fountains Show runs on Saturday evenings in summer, with lighting, and is sold separately. Dates are published for each season.
